'Halves more popular than pints for beer' - Camra survey

The half has usurped the pint as the favourite measure for draught beer drinkers according to a survey commissioned by the Campaign for Real Ale.

The poll of 2,000 people, carried out by YouGov, showed that 34% preferred to try new beers in halves, with 26% each opting for pint glasses or thirds.

Camra claims the survey shows that people are opting to drink less but be more adventurous in their beer choices.

Chief executive Tim Page said: "People are becoming more open to trying new beers and moving away form the mentality of drinking pint-after-pint of the same brew.

"Particularly for stronger, more full-flavoured real ales such as barley wines, or strong porters and stouts, a half or third of a pint is a much more sensible option and allows people to try a range of beers without drinking past their limits."

The results of the research - released to coincide with Camra's Great British Beer Festival in London - showed that people believed the best place to try a new beer was at a beer festival (41%), ahead of pubs (37%) and at home (5%).

Camra is calling on licensees to charge a proportionate price for halves compared to pint prices, and to clearly display the half-pint price if they do not.